Opposition MP Blasts Govt for Blocking Rivals from ASEAN Assembly
People's Party deputy leader Rangsiman Rome accused the government of undermining Thailand's international representation by excluding opposition MPs from the AIPA delegation. He argued the opaque selection process weakens the country's ability to address cross-border threats like scam networks, human trafficking, and pollution. Rangsiman cited his own success at last year's AIPA in Malaysia, where as an opposition MP he helped block a Cambodian agenda on the border dispute, proving opposition members can effectively defend national interests.
List MP Rangsiman Rome, deputy leader of the People's Party, posted on Facebook on November 14, 2026, responding to comments by Ratchaburi MP Akkadet Wongpithakroj of the Bhumjaithai Party. Akkadet had said Rangsiman's absence from the AIPA General Assembly did not harm Thailand because it is a Team Thailand effort, not about any individual or party. Rangsiman agreed in principle but said Akkadet missed the point: the issue is not whether a specific person attends, but why the selection process for Thailand's parliamentary delegation excludes opposition participation.
Rangsiman recalled the 46th AIPA in Malaysia last year, when he was an opposition MP but was given the chance to represent Thailand. When Cambodia proposed an urgent agenda on the Thai-Cambodia border situation, he spoke out against it, defending Thailand's interests, and the assembly ultimately rejected Cambodia's proposal. He emphasized he does not claim sole credit, as international work requires cooperation, but at minimum he fulfilled his duty fully despite being in opposition, never believing that role diminished his obligation to protect national interests.
For the 47th AIPA in the Philippines, Rangsiman said the People's Party questions not only the opposition's exclusion but also why Thailand submitted no draft resolutions despite facing multiple cross-border crises — scam operations, human trafficking, PM2.5 haze, and toxic river pollution. These directly affect Thai lives, safety, health, and the economy. He urged the House Speaker to explain why no draft resolutions were presented, what constraints exist, and what alternative channels Thailand will use to advance these issues, as well as clarify the appointment of Thailand's national executive committee within AIPA.
"I agree international work must be Team Thailand, but a strong team comes from pooling all sides' strengths, not making the opposition outsiders in a process belonging to the entire parliament," Rangsiman said. "The opposition demands no privileges, no specific names, no positions based on party affiliation. We demand a fair, transparent process that lets all people's representatives participate appropriately." He added he does not want the Thai delegation to fail and never wishes Thailand to lose opportunities on the international stage.
